Jefferson County Man Charged With Child Sex Crimes

A Jefferson County man has been arrested for child sexual exploitatation. Deputies in Jefefrson County were dispatched out to a home in New Market late last week after suspicious activity had been reported at that address. Deputies discovered evidence of possible child sex crimes when they checked out the home. Investigators from the Criminal Investigation Division and Internet Crimes Against Children were the called to the scene. That investigation led to the arrest of 59 year old Leslie A. Byrd. He is being charged with 3 counts of Especially Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a minor; 3 counts of Unlawful photograph; one count each of Aggravated Sexual Battery and Unlawful possession of a child like sex doll. Byrd is being held in the Jefferson County Detention Center in Dandridge. His bond was set at $500,000.